About the Award
The Youth Advocacy and Action Award celebrates young people ages 10 to 24 who are making a positive difference for children, adolescents, and/or young adults in their communities.
Presented by the AAP Council on Community Pediatrics (COCP), this award is rooted in a simple belief: young people have powerful ideas, important voices, and real influence. Whether you are speaking up for others, creating change in your school or community, supporting peers, or working alongside adults to improve systems, your leadership matters.
Youth may be nominated by adults, peers, or organizations, and youth are also welcome to nominate themselves. All nomination pathways are encouraged.
COCP’s work is guided by the idea that all children deserve to be healthy, safe, heard, and supported. These ideas come from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, a global framework that describes what children need to grow and thrive. You do not need to know this framework or use formal rights language to be nominated. If your work helps children, adolescents, or young adults feel safer, healthier, more included, or more empowered, it belongs here.
Presented by the AAP Council on Community Pediatrics (COCP), this award is rooted in a simple belief: young people have powerful ideas, important voices, and real influence. Whether you are speaking up for others, creating change in your school or community, supporting peers, or working alongside adults to improve systems, your leadership matters.
Youth may be nominated by adults, peers, or organizations, and youth are also welcome to nominate themselves. All nomination pathways are encouraged.
COCP’s work is guided by the idea that all children deserve to be healthy, safe, heard, and supported. These ideas come from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, a global framework that describes what children need to grow and thrive. You do not need to know this framework or use formal rights language to be nominated. If your work helps children, adolescents, or young adults feel safer, healthier, more included, or more empowered, it belongs here.
This award recognizes youth who take action in many different ways. This may include advocating for change, organizing or leading community efforts, supporting peers, sharing stories or raising awareness, educating others, or partnering with pediatricians, educators, or community leaders.
The focus is on real world impact, leadership, and care for others. Efforts may be big or small.
The award recipient will receive a certificate of recognition from COCP and a $500 stipend. Youth honorees will also receive an optional invitation to collaborate with COCP in the future. Participation is completely voluntary and based on the youth’s interests and availability.
This award is about recognizing youth who are already doing meaningful work and saying clearly: we see you, and your voice matters.
Deadline: Nominations are due online by March 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM Central Time.
Questions? Email COCP staff at cocp@aap.org.
Questions? Email COCP staff at cocp@aap.org.